Investigating brain growth mechanisms in autism using organoid models
Official title: IBIS-iPSC: Organoid modeling of cortical surface area hyperexpansion in autism spectrum disorder
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11067821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain growth works in babies at high risk for autism, using tiny brain models made from their cells to see if they match what happens in their real brains, so we can better understand autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $606,258 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130441-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11067821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants at high familial risk for autism, particularly those who have an older sibling diagnosed with ASD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a familial risk for autism or those who are not infants may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to brain enlargement in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By utilizing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived organoids from a well-characterized group of infants at high risk for ASD, the study aims to relate in vitro brain growth patterns to the actual brain development observed in these individuals. Participants in the Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) provide a rich dataset, including neuroimaging and behavioral assessments, which will be used to validate the organoid models. This approach allows researchers to explore how organoid phenotypes can mimic the brain growth trajectories of the children from whom they were derived.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind autism, potentially informing future treatments and interventions.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar studies using organoid models have shown promise in understanding other neurodevelopmental disorders, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Jason Louis — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Stein, Jason Louis
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.